I have just read the rather confusing letter written by Robert Purnell (Letters, 22 July) relating to Satanism, the London bombings and the mystical number 777.

I always believed that the number 666 was supposed to be related to the evils of Satan.

As Mr Purnell claims the number 777 is derived from the date of the London atrocities I wonder what significance he attaches to the date of the terrorist attack in America, it certainly didn't add up to 777!

However, various dates in '77 leading up to June 1 also produced the figure 777; I wonder what evils were visited upon the world in the first six months of that year.

I still cannot see what the mystical numbers, London bombings and the Bible have to do with a piece of light-hearted, harmless fiction by JK Rowling. I wonder how he views the writings of Tolkien and Blyton - evil in the extreme perhaps? And can we expect further Biblical and Satanic quotations from him at the end of October?

A Dobinson

Askham Lane

Acomb, York

Updated: 10:33 Monday, July 25, 2005